No Cronulla here, say NZ Lebanese

New Zealand's Lebanese community is confident Sydney's violence would not happen here.

The riots in Sydney's beachside suburbs have seen new powers handed down to police to deal with the disruption.

Following attacks on people of Middle Eastrn appearance, young men from the community fought back yesterday in another night of lawlessness.

President of the Cedars of Lebanon Club in Dunedin, Richard Joseph, says the riots are embarrassing and deplorable. He believes there is little chance of copycat attacks on this side of the Tasman.

He said the violence was not symptomatic of the entire Lebanese community and said it was due to a handful of irresponsible thugs who have compromised the reputation of Sydney to serve their own interests.

He said there was no justification for the mob violence which he describes as barbaric and one step away from anarchy, adding that he feels embarrassed about the situation and cannot see how it started.

Across the Tasman, Senior Police and the New South Wales State Government will today finalise tough new laws for police in a bid to crack down on the trouble makers behind this week's race riots in Sydney.

Police will be able to lock-down areas and close pubs if there is trouble, and drivers can have their cars searched and confiscated if they are suspected of joining a riot.

New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma is under pressure to give a special briefing to the State Opposition on the plans, which will be rushed through a special sitting of Parliament tomorrow.

More than 450 police were on street patrol last night - a dramatic increase from the 100 on duty the night before, when gangs went on a rampage in Cronulla and Lakemba.

- NEWSTALK ZB